AUSTIN, TX Construction has begun on the RM 2244 (Bee Cave Road) improvement project in West Lake Hills, Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation joined Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, West Lake Hills Mayor Linda Anthony, Former West Lake Hills Mayor Dave Claunch, the contractor, and members of the community at the project's groundbreaking ceremony.

"We are excited to start this much-needed project that will improve safety and mobility for all area travelers," Terry McCoy, Austin District Engineer said. "None of this would have been possible without the help and support of our transportation partners at the city and county. We know construction has impacts, but we will do what we can to reduce these and keep the community updated on our progress."

Work on the three mile, $29-million-project includes constructing a center-turn lane between Redbud Trail and Walsh Tarlton Lane, as well as adding shoulders and sidewalks within the project limits.

The project contractor, Aaron Concrete Contractors, started work with pre-construction activities including setting environmental controls, performing striping work, clearing the right-of-way area, and relocating utility lines.

Over the next 45 days, there will be various east and westbound right lane closures that occur during the day between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow crews to prepare and clear the right-of-way. Rather than closing a long section of lane, the contractor is working to keep these lane closures short in length and will continuously move the lane closure once the work is complete. For the majority of construction, there will be two lanes open in each direction and the lane closures will take place during off-peak hours to help minimize delays.

In an effort to reduce cut-through traffic in local neighborhoods, left turns will be prohibited from Bee Cave Road to intersections without signals, including Buckeye Trail, McConnell Drive and Westhaven Drive, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays.